When Gretchen reached home, she ran in through the door in great excitement. "Diane! Diane! I just got out of a meeting with the Sessian ambassador and his staff! I have great news!"
I greeted my girlfriend with a hug, and then stepped back to see the excitement in her eyes. Never had I seen her looking so thrilled after meeting with a client. "What's so great?" I asked. "Did he sign a multi-million dollar contract?"
Gretchen had to take a few moments to slow down her breathing and try to calm down. Obviously this was a lot more important that just a contract.
"Sessia proactively hired my firm to handle the fallout from a decision their government made a few months back. Apparently they legalized slavery in December of last year. None of the mainstream media have picked up on it yet, but they're certain that it will cause bad publicity before the next meeting of the European Union."
"Okay," I said, still not understanding why all the excitement. It sounded like just another account to me.
Gretchen realized I wasn't following along, and elaborated for my benefit. "Slavery in Sessia isn't exactly like it was here in the United States. Their brand of slavery involves public nudity, erotic bondage, corporal punishment and the like. It's very much like what they do in B&D clubs here in America, only in Sessia a slave is legally the property of the master of mistress."
"Uh-oh," I exclaimed. "I think I can see where this is going."
"And that's not all; they're giving me two free airline tickets so I can go to Sessia and see the country for myself! What an opportunity!"
I went to the wet bar and made myself a drink. Gretchen had always been the dominant one in our relationship, but what she was getting ready to suggest went beyond anything she and I had done before. We'd done some light bondage and spanking before. However we'd never involved outsiders and even my closest friends weren't aware that I was into bondage or discipline.
"Two tickets," I said after I downed half my drink. "And who were you planning on taking with you?"
"Why, you of course," Gretchen said as she strode up gracefully on high heels and kissed me affectionately on the lips.
"As your naked slave?" I asked.
"This is a huge opportunity for me," Gretchen gushed. "Do you have any idea how long I've had dreams of leading a naked slave through the public streets on a leash? Of being able to show her off with pride?" Gretchen placed her arms around my waist and held me gently. She stood close and nuzzled my neck while she spoke. It was a deliberate tactic to wear down my resistance.
"Do you have any idea how humiliating it would be for me?" I asked. "Naked in front of dozens of people?"
Gretchen slowly released me from her grip and looked sadly into my eyes, her long dark hair partly covering her face. "So, you won't help me?" she said feigning great disappointment.
I knew this would make Gretchen feel awful, and she would sulk for weeks if I let her down. "Oh, alright then. I'll do it," I said.
The smile instantly returned to my girlfriend's face and she embraced me enthusiastically. "Thank you darling. I knew I could count on you," she said.
* * * * *
The next two weeks were spent getting ready. Gretchen arranged meetings in Sessia with the department of tourism and various people involved in the sex slave industry. Gretchen and I both had passports, but Sessia required we have proof of medical insurance before we entered their country. In addition they required extensive medical records from my doctor, including an AIDS test. Apparently not just anybody is allowed to be a sex slave. They have to be in excellent physical condition. Being overweight, diabetic, epileptic or any number of medical conditions would have disqualified me.
At this point I almost regretted being healthy, slender and athletic. I was still nervous and apprehensive about being paraded around the streets of a European country as Gretchen's nude sex slave. A medical excuse would have got me out of the whole thing without Gretchen blaming me.
Gretchen and I both packed cameras, film and enough clothes for a week. We also planned on going shopping for more clothes and souvenirs after we got there. European fashions are usually much more exciting than American clothes and Gretchen promised me at least two days of shopping before I had to serve as her slave. That helped to relax me and keep me from backing out.
* * * * *
I was totally jet lagged after the transatlantic flight and wanted nothing more than a hot shower and a nap after we got to our hotel. Gretchen paid the cab driver while I carried one of the bags and signed in at the front desk. The girl behind the desk looked at my signature and typed in my name on her computer. I kept waiting for her to give me my room key, but instead her brow wrinkled and she continued to press keys on her computer.
"Wait here please," she eventually said and consulted with another woman who worked there in the hotel lobby.
"I'm sorry for the delay," the older woman said when both hotel employees were done consulting. "My name is Olivia Pitt. I'm the assistant manager. Your name is Diane Schlank?"
"Yes," I replied. "Is there a problem with the reservation?"
The younger woman took a step back and the assistant manager replied, "Could I see some ID, please?"
I took out my passport and showed it to her, still uncertain where this was going. At this point Gretchen finally caught up with me with the rest of our luggage. She showed the assistant manager her passport as well and asked her what was going on.
"Once again I apologize for the delay, she said. "However according to hotel records, Miss Schlank here is listed as your slave."
"That's correct," Gretchen said. "But I still don't see why all the fuss. I was told that slavery was legal is Sessia."
"It is," Olivia assured us. "However as Americans, you may be unaware of a number of Sessian laws as regards to slavery. For instance, slaves are not permitted to wear clothing. I'm afraid Miss Schlank will have to disrobe immediately."